Police chief responds to SIU report, calls it 'complex case' (update)

Nov. 30 10:45 a.m. update:

Tim Mitchell tells SooToday he has no comment on the SIU's findings, declining to get into a "back and forth," with police.

Nov. 29 5:30 p.m. original story:

Robert Keetch, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service chief, has commented on the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report regarding a Sault Police officer’s use of force in connection with the March 26 arrest of Tim Mitchell.

The SIU report, issued Tuesday, stated “there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a Sault Ste. Marie police officer in relation to the injuries sustained by a 54-year-old man in March of 2016. “ 

Photographs of Mitchell’s appearance after his arrest shocked the public.

“It was a very, very complex case,” Keetch told SooToday Tuesday.

“There was a single strike to the rib area, but I think there were many individuals who interpreted his physical appearance (after the incident) and associated that with a different type of use of force, and unfortunately we couldn’t comment on that until the investigation was concluded and SIU released their final report,” Keetch said.

The SIU report concluded a single punch from the officer to Mitchell’s left side (deemed necessary for him to comply with being handcuffed by police) led to other, serious medical complications for the man, such as rib fractures, a perforated left lung which led to severe swelling in his chest, neck and face, and rupture of a pre-existing gastrointestinal ulcer.

The rupture and internal bleeding caused sepsis that made it necessary for doctors to put Mitchell into a medically induced coma, said the report.

“The investigation concluded the officer’s use of force was necessary and reasonable in these circumstances…I’ve reviewed the SIU’s final report, as well as reports compiled during our parallel investigation,” Keetch said.

“(We) agree with their conclusion the officer’s use of force was justified, necessary to deal with the situation, and reasonable given the totality of the circumstances.”

“The officer requested twice for the individual to comply…there are individual decisions an officer makes in the heat of the moment, based on his training, his knowledge of the use of force model and various options available to him and an assessment of the individual and the situation as it unfolds.”

The circumstances, Keetch said, did not make it possible for the officer to use other options, such as reaching for his Taser.

“I want to thank and commend the SIU for their thorough, extensive and competent investigation.”

“We understand we must allow the Special Investigations Unit to conduct an independent investigation into the situation.” 

“I support that model, it provides the community reassurance that a situation is not being investigated by the police themselves, it’s an outside agency that ensures we are acting lawfully and we’re using the appropriate levels of force in a situation,” Keetch said. 

“I’m certain that the involved officer is relieved the investigation has been concluded, as these types of investigations have an impact on their personal and professional lives,” the chief added.

For a summary of the SIU report, click here

- with files from Mike Purvis

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